Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, 5:09pm CT, TBS

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#76      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
FoundersClub said:
A little surreal: I’m at the gym and every TV seems to be Illinois/ UConn pregame coverage or predictions.

Important to remember, last time we were this ‘relevant’ there was far less media. Very limited social media. Being ‘relevant’ now means your program and players are being discussed in 10x more places. Our game tonight will be the biggest event of the day, across any sport. Our game will be shown on every bar TV screen across North America tonight. Small town or big. Illini bar or not.

Pretty cool, and important for us non casual fans to soak it in. Has a little bit of a ‘my kid is all grown up’ proud dad/ mom feel, especially for those of us that have been along for the ride for so long. For those of us that were fans during the early 2000’s and wondered, ‘Will those times ever return?’

They’ve returned. For a moment tonight, we are back in the ‘good old days’. Enjoy it.
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I couldn't agree more. I was at the barber this morning in Arizona and the TVs were all tuned to NCAA coverage and so it's just passive, blanket coverage everywhere. Great PR for the program and university and a great feeling as a fan.

Drink it all in.
 
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#78      

purcy51

P
Nappanee, IN
purcy51
Question for tonight's game: do I wear my new TSJ shirt I just received or stick with what I've been wearing all tournament ( one of the 17 & Kofi sweatshirt??
 
#79      

1m4tr

1m4tr
Cliffmas
1m4tr
FoundersClub said:
My heart: 88-87 Illinois. We trail by 11 half, storm back to tie it at the 5 min mark. Two momentum shifting corner 3’s from Harman. Game goes to the wire. 33 for TSJ, big game from Ty.

My head: 88-76 UConn. We trail by 11 at half. We make a run to cut it to 5/6 at the 8 min mark, but can never quite get over the hump. A few late back breaking threes and UConn rolls on. Our moral victory is that we kept it under 13.
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I agree that Harmon is gonna make at least 1 three. I also predict Ty attempts and makes his first three tonight too.
 
#81      

1m4tr

1m4tr
Cliffmas
1m4tr
purcy51 said:
Question for tonight's game: do I wear my new TSJ shirt I just received or stick with what I've been wearing all tournament ( one of the 17 & Kofi sweatshirt??
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You’ve seen that commercial w the LSU fan screaming at people for wearing different shirts, sitting in his spot on the couch and eating foods like popcorn that they didn’t eat during the last game? Yeah. Be that guy tonight. It’s allowed.
 
#84      

Epsilon

Epsilon
M tipping over
Pdx
Epsilon
illini0440 said:
You pull Clingan away from the hoop and it becomes a lot easier to grab OREB
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Everyone will have to do their job.
- CoHawk shoots 3’s well. Moves Clingan.
- Everyone boxes out and we get team rebounding.
- MD plays booty ball - should have size advantage with most matchups. Or he has to exploit when he does get his matchup.
- TSJ scores in transition and makes clutch 3’s. Has another career night.
- One of DD, QG, Goode, or Harmon has a career game. Preferably two of them (or more)
- Ty does all the little things, but lots of them.
- Everyone makes their freakin free throws!

That’s all I ask 😉
 
#85      

Rap47

R
Rap47
Look at u conn schedule and they aren't that impressive. They mop up teams they should beat, but they only beat Kansas by 4, Texas by 10, two close wins over St. Johns. The Illini can beat them if they play well.
 
#87      

CentralILLini

C
CentralILLini
We have at least 2 mismatches in our favor when just looking at our starting vs theirs.

If we can get 35+ combined points from Luke, Coleman, and Quincy I feel very good about that.
 
#88      

PattyOBryant

P
PattyOBryant
americanoutlaw11 said:
View attachment 32975
View attachment 32976
House money… head vs heart… blah blah. Wipe the last twenty years and that loser mentality from your minds. After all this team has done, it seems some of you need reminded…
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I started to reply to this twice but couldn't figure out how to do it without criticizing your opinion or making it seem like I don't believe in this team. I'm going to give a reply a shot to try to stave off my "loser mentality".

If you look at the entire body of work of this team, we have overachieved by reaching the Elite 8. We lost the big games against the big teams (save for Kansas exhibition and Iowa State.) There have been more successful seasons that haven't made it this far.

Does being OK with the outcome of this game regardless of who is cutting the nets equate to loser mentality? I don't think so. I think it is living in reality. Until we beat UCONN, we have lost, for the most part, the games against the good competiton. That is just a simple fact.

I love this team. This has been the most interesting season in Illini basketball in quite some time. I hope this team has a championship trophy to show for all their hard work. As a fan, I appreciate that these moments are rare.

Please be gentle on us "house money...head/heart" fans. Our blood is orange and blue, too.
 
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#89      

illinifan1987

illinifan1987
illinifan1987
Are You Ready GIF by BuzzFeed

I Think Reaction GIF by The Runner go90

I don't think that I've ever been this excited and terrified at the same time. We're 1 game away from the Final Four...but the scariest team in decades is standing in our way. It's time to mow them down
Crashing Car Crash GIF by Don Broco
 
#95      

Illinifrank67

Illinifrank67
Illinifrank67
purcy51 said:
Question for tonight's game: do I wear my new TSJ shirt I just received or stick with what I've been wearing all tournament ( one of the 17 & Kofi sweatshirt??
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I’m wearing a fleece block I sweater on a 70 degree day. You better be rocking the Kofi shirt right along side me. 🤣
 
#96      

Ryllini

Ryllini
Lombard
Ryllini
This is going to be a Adam Fletcher game. UConn is alot like Purdue and their actions. They have a ton of then. They can make you guard for days and eventually you are gassed.
 
#98      

Illini2010-11

I
Sugar Grove
Illini2010-11
RabidDawgClassic said:
I don’t like this house money talk. That’s what you say when you’re preparing yourself to lose. I want to break the house!
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It means all of the pressure is on UCONN. Illini should be able to play loose and have fun. Win or lose, it has been a great run; however, I really like the Illini's chances, especially if UCONN comes out tight. Build an early lead, and anything can happen.
 
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